DPA encourages all instrumental & vocal students, regardless of age or ability, to become involved in an ensemble as soon as they start learning.
Brass, String and Wood Wind players will be able to start in one of the Up Beat groups which are located fairly close to where you live. There are junior groups for singers/students playing other instruments.
Centrally organised groups commence at the Intermediate level, after which students will pass to the Senior and Advanced Music groups. Instrumental/Vocal teachers will guide students to the appropriate group. Rehearsals start the second week of each term, unless otherwise informed. (more information can be found in the calendars area)
- Membership to the ensemble system is FREE!
- Entry to Up Beat groups is open access. Progression to the higher levels is by teacher recomendation, which takes place at the end of the academic year.
- Each ensemble/choir will take part in at least one concert per term.
- Ensembles playing in public:
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At home... Dudley's music ensembles have performed in many parts of the country. As well as regularly playing in the Black Country, they have visited York, Winchester, performing at the Symphony Hall and Ronnie Scotts in Birmingham, and at The Royal Albert Hall and The Festival Hall in London.
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and abroad...DPA has a network of international partners with whom there are regular exchanges. Dudley students have undertaken international tours to Europe, North America and Australia.
UP Beat
Up beat is the name of the groups run by Dudley Performing Arts for children and young people at the start of their musical journeys. The sessions are fun and are suibtable for children as soon as they can get a note out of the instrument. The rehearsals are organised so that students who have been playing for a few years can still enjoy and learn in the sessions untill the point that they are ready to move up to the intermediate group.
Up Beat Mondays
Kingswinford, Belle Vue School, 16:45 - 17:45
Up Beat Tuesdays
Stourbridge, Gig Mill School, 17:00 - 18:00
Up Beat Wednesdays
Sedgley, The High Arcal School, 17:00 - 18:00
Up Beat Wednesdays
Halesowen, Earls High School, 17:00 - 18:00
DPA String Groups
Intermediate String Ensemble
Tutors: Claire Moss, Claire Pennycook
Rehearsals: Wednesday 17:55 - 18:55 at Saltwells EDC
Senior String Ensemble
Tutors: Sophie Price, Carol Wheway
Rehearsals: Wednesday 19:00 - 20:45 at Saltwells EDC
Advanced String Ensemble
Tutors: Lee Armstrong, Ian Chamberlain, Craig Sproston
Rehearsals: Wednesday 19:00 - 21:00 at Saltwells EDC
DPA Brass and Wind Groups
Intermediate Wind Band
Tutors: Claire Estell, Adrian Gibson, Annie Kennedy, Julian Powell
Rehearsals: Mondays 17:55 - 18:55 at Saltwells EDC
Senior Wind Band
Tutors: Linda Birnie, Anna Green, Becky Taylor, Julian Powell
Rehearsals: Mondays 19:00 - 19:50 at Saltwells EDC
Senior Brass Band
Tutors: Linda Birnie, Jo Todd
Rehearsals: Mondays 20:00 - 20:45 at Saltwells EDC
Senior Wood Wind Ensemble
Tutors: Anna Green, Becky Taylor
Rehearsals: Mondays 20:00 - 20:45 at Saltwells EDC
Advanced Wind Band
Tutors: Mark Hadlington, Louise Jones, Julian Powell
Rehearsals: Mondays 20:00 - 21:00 at Saltwells EDC
Advanced Brass Band
Tutors: Mark Hadlington, Jo Todd
Rehearsals: Mondays 18:45 - 19:45 at Saltwells EDC
Advanced Wood Wind Ensemble
Tutors: Louise Jones, Tony May
Rehearsals: Mondays 18:45 - 19:45 at Saltwells EDC
DPA Groups for Contemporary Instruments
Junior Guitar Ensemble
Tutors: Steve Nicholls, Rick Ahir
Rehearsals: Tuesdays 17:00 - 17:45 at Gig Mill Primary School
Intermediate Guitar Ensemble
Tutors: Steve Nicholls, Rick Ahir
Rehearsals: Tuesdays 18:00 - 18:45 at Gig Mill Primary School
Senior Guitar Ensemble
Tutors: Steve Nicholls
Rehearsals: Tuesdays 18:45 - 19:30 at Gig Mill Primary School
Junior Electric Guitar Ensemble
Tutors: Delesh Chauhan, Stuart Dempsey-Robbins
Rehearsals: Mondays 18:00 - 18:45 at Saltwells EDC
Intermediate Electric Guitar Ensemble
Tutors: Rob Fellows, Luke Olly
Rehearsals: Mondays 19:00 - 19:45 at Saltwells EDC
Senior Electric Guitar Ensemble
Tutors: Rob Fellows, Luke Olly
Rehearsals: Mondays 20:00 - 20:45 at Saltwells EDC
Percussion Groups
Tutors: Julian Powell
Rehearsals: Saturdays 10:00 - 10:45 (Junior) and 11:00 - 11:45 (Senior) at Dudley Music Centre
DPA Vocal Groups
VTime
VTime is a fun, exciting singing group for all Dudley school children between the ages of 7 and 11. It’s free and there’s no audition. If you like singing, come along and give it a go!
Tutors: Sue Simpson
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 18:00 - 19:15 at Saltwells EDC
Dudley Young Voices
A DPA singing group for young people between the ages of 11 and 16. It’s fun, it’s free and there’s no audition! If you like singing and enjoy making new friends, why not pay us a visit?
Tutors: Chris Passey
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 19:30 - 20:45 at Saltwells EDC
Song Surge
A singing project for people who want to perform current chart music. Song Surge runs each term and includes auditions for soloists as well as the chance to sing in the large group. Each project is promoted on the website.
DPA Singers
You don’t need to audition to sing in this community choir which is free of charge and is open to all post 16 Dudley students and interested adults. If you like singing, why not come along and give it a try! Contact Jude Moreland on 01384 813867 for further details.
Tutors: Jude Moreland.
Rehearsals: Mondays, 19:30 - 20:45 at Dudley Music Centre
Please note: Dates are subject to change. All changes will be notified by the ensemble director.
